Everyone’s favorite Disney sister duo comes to life in a fantastic production of Disney’s Frozen at The White Theatre at The J. Co-produced by The J and The Coterie Theatre, this family-friendly musical brings the kingdom of Arendelle to Kansas City with outstanding vocal performances, impressive costumes, plenty of humor and a few truly magical surprises. The production runs through July 26.
The show opens with adorable young performers portraying young Elsa and Anna. Their sweet sister handshake immediately establishes the characters’ close bond, while their enthusiasm for performing is contagious. From those opening moments, my girls were completely invested in the familiar story.
We loved that the production preserves the classic storyline and favorite songs families know from the animated movie. The stage version also includes several original songs written specifically for the musical, and the cast performs them with so much heart that they feel right at home alongside the familiar favorites.
The vocal talents of both Anna and Elsa were outstanding. Karese Kaw-uh was hilarious as Anna, perfectly capturing the character’s awkward, enthusiastic and lovable personality. She brought warmth and humor to the role while delivering an equally impressive vocal performance.
MaryAnn Traxler was a powerful Elsa, and her dramatic transformation from princess to Ice Queen was one of the evening’s most memorable moments. Her first dress flew away as if by magic, revealing Elsa’s signature sparkling blue gown and, in a wonderfully personal surprise, Traxler’s growing baby bump. Her already remarkable vocal performance felt even more impressive after that reveal.
Olaf and Sven were also audience favorites, brought to life through impressive life-size puppets. Olaf was operated by a sweater-clad puppeteer who became part of the character’s charm rather than distracting from it. Sven’s puppeteer expertly maneuvered the giant reindeer through multiple scenes and musical numbers, giving the beloved character plenty of personality and humor.
The entire experience felt designed with young Frozen fans in mind. Ushers gave my girls adorable snowflake popper toys, which they loved, and Anna and Elsa cutouts near the entrance created a cute photo opportunity before the performance.
Our biggest pro tip is to dress up! My girls wore Elsa and Anna costumes, and they were far from the only little princesses in attendance on opening night. Seeing so many children arrive dressed as their favorite characters added another layer of excitement and made the evening feel like a truly special occasion.
The production is officially recommended for ages 6 and older, although my 4-year-old loved it and remained engaged throughout the performance. Families should plan for approximately two hours and 15 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission.
With its talented cast, creative puppetry, memorable music and heartwarming message about sisterhood, Disney’s Frozen is an excellent family show. We highly recommend it to Kansas City families looking for a magical summer theater experience.
See the magic of Disney’s Frozen onstage at The White Theatre and make it a special outing for your little princesses. Find showtimes and purchase tickets here.